Survey Questions

1. Attitude towards the new text

Nearly 3 in 5 priests (59%) dislike the new text; nearly 2 in 5 (39%) like the new text. For those whose opinion changed compared to their expectations before implementation, more have come to dislike the text than dislike it: 10% were apprehensive but now like it, whereas 15% were looking forward to it but now dislike it.

"Which of the following best sums up your attitude towards the new text?"Total responses: 1529

Survey Responses

Responses

Percentage

Before it was introduced I was apprehensive about it and I still don't like it.

674

44.08%

Before it was introduced I was apprehensive about it but I've changed my mind and I like it.

154

10.07%

Before it was introduced I was looking forward to it and I still like it.

448

29.30%

Before it was introduced I was looking forward to it but I've changed my mind and I don't like it.

229

14.98%

I haven't noticed much difference between this text and the previous one.

24

1.57%

Total

1529

100%

2. Style of language

Priests dislike the more formal style of language of the new Missal by approximately a 3- 2 margin. More than 1/3 of priests (34.5%) strongly disagree with the more formal style of language of the new Missal, with a further 22% who disagree that they like the more formal style. More than 1/3 of priests like the more formal style, either agreeing (18%) or agreeing strongly (18%) that they like it.

"I like the more formal style of language."Total responses: 1529

3. Awkward and distracting language

In the strongest agreement of any question of the survey, priests overwhelmingly find some of the language of the new Missal awkward and distracting. More than 4 in 5 priests agree with this negative assessment, with nearly 3 in 5 (59%) agreeing strongly with it. Only 14% of priests disagree or agree strongly that some of the language is awkward and distracting.

"Some of the language is awkward and distracting."Total responses: 1533

4. Is the new Missal an improvement?

Priests state by approximately a 3-2 margin (56% to 36%) that the new translation is not an improvement on the previous one, the Sacramentary in use from 1974 until 2011. More than 1/3 of priests strongly disagree that the new Missal is an improvement. Only 1 in 5 priests (20%) strongly agree that it is an improvement.

"I think the new translation is an improvement on the old one."Total responses: 1533

5. Does the new Missal need revision?

Most priests hold that the new translation urgently needs to be revised, with more than 6 in 10 holding this view, against less than 3 in 10 who disagree. More than 4 in 10 (42%) strongly agree that the new translation urgently needs to be revised.

"I think the new translation urgently needs to be revised."Total responses: 1532

6. Continuing with the same style of translation for other rites

More priests disagree with work continuing on translating other liturgical texts in the same style as the missal than agree with it, by approximately a 2-1 margin (60% and 32% respectively). More than 2 in 5 priests (42.5%) strongly disagree with other liturgies and rites being translated in the same style.

"I think work should go forward in translating the Liturgy of the Hours and all the other rites (Marriage, Confirmation, etc.) in the same style as the new Missal."Total responses: 1534

7. Missal chant settings

More priests like the English chant settings than do not, with the largest group of respondents (40%) neither agreeing nor disagreeing that they like the chant. About 1/3 of priests (33%) like the Missal chant; about 1/4 (27%) dislike it.

"I like the Missal's English chant settings."Total responses: 1527

8. Priests' input on future translations

Priests are not very confident that their views about translation will be taken seriously. Less than 1/4 of priests (24%) are confident of this, while more than half (56%) are not.

"I am confident that the views of priests will be taken seriously in future decisions about liturgical translation."Total responses: 1533

9. Leadership of the Holy See

More priests disapprove than approve of the Holy See's leadership in bringing about the new Missal. Nearly half (49%) do not approve of the Holy See's leadership, 29% strongly so. About 2 in 5 (40%) do approve of the Holy See's leadership, nearly 1/4 (24%) strongly so.

"I approve of the leadership of the Holy See in bringing about the new Missal."Total responses: 1531